News

Review of 2013: February

FEBRUARY Harpenden father, Alex White, tangoed his way in to the limelight by being named the champion of a Strictly Come Dancing style competition. Raising money for Cancer Research UK, Mr White said: “I just thought that even if I make a fool of myself it would be for a great cause.”

A father’s emotional plea for information on the whereabouts of his son Murray Thompson was also reported. Murray Thompson, who was 34 and lived in St Peter’s Street, went missing in April 2010. Despite his killer, James Evans being convicted of his murder in October last year, Mr Thompson’s body has still not been discovered. His father Tony Thompson said: “I can’t believe it has been nearly three years. It is still very difficult.”

A lucky find behind a sofa at Emmaus charity shop in Batford discovered £9,000. Andy Browne, staff member, was given the job of checking over the sofa when he found the surprise, which was later returned to the grateful residents, who had donated the sofa in the first place.

Meanwhile St Albans music community paid their respects to band manager, Paul McMullen, who died while setting up a stage at a show in Guildford. Mr McMullen started as the marketing manager at the Alban Arena in 2002.

It was bad news for First Capital Connect later on in February when it was named the worst train operator, according to figures from a consumer body Which?, which completed a national survey with 7,500 passengers.

Harpenden residents were left shell-shocked when a population of Roman snails held up the building of a 3m wide and 60m long access road across Westfield Recreation ground in the town. It was a victory for the Roman snails under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Figures obtained by the St Albans & Harpenden Review revealed £10,000 was spent on the city’s part in the Olympic Torch Relay.